Dr. GPCR Podcast

Finance is Science too: How Numbers Keep the Lights On with Chuck DeWeese & Joe St. Germain

In Episode 165 of the Dr. GPCR Podcast, host Dr. Yamina Berchiche welcomes Chuck DeWeese and Joe St. Germain of Company Launch Partners for an inspiring discussion on the intersection of accounting, entrepreneurship, and nonprofit mission building. With the Dr. GPCR ecosystem officially becoming a nonprofit, this episode offers valuable insight into the financial backbone required to scale scientific and community-driven initiatives.

1. The Launch Pad: Company Launch Partners

Joe St. Germain, founder of Company Launch Partners, shares how he transitioned from corporate finance to creating a service firm dedicated to startups and nonprofits. A self-declared problem-solver, Joe describes how working with early-stage companies reignited his passion for helping others build impactful ventures. Chuck DeWeese, controller at CLP, joined the mission after pivoting from a sales career into accounting, where he found his professional calling in "making the numbers make sense."

"There’s something really sick with accounting people... that accounting high when everything reconciles." – Chuck DeWeese

2. The Nonprofit Spark: Partnering with Dr. GPCR

The episode dives into how Joe and Chuck began collaborating with the Dr. GPCR ecosystem. Yamina reached out to Joe with accounting questions during his vacation—an email that sparked a partnership. Chuck stepped in to help structure the nonprofit’s financial framework, showcasing how specialized knowledge and timing can catalyze long-term collaborations.

“You always email me when I’m on vacation.” – Joe St. Germain (laughing)

3. Accounting Highs & Scientific Parallels

Yamina draws a parallel between reconciling complex financial data and a scientist getting a long-awaited result. Both Chuck and Joe agree: accounting is like solving puzzles. It's about structure, order, and breakthrough moments, not unlike the life of a researcher.

“Finance grows the beans, but you don’t get to that point until you count them.” – Chuck DeWeese

4. Jumping Off the Cliff: The Entrepreneur’s Leap

Joe shares the risks of launching a business while supporting a family, emphasizing the mental resilience and self-care needed. He compares entrepreneurship to a scientist’s journey: uncertainty, trial-and-error, and the necessity of mentorship.

"I’m a startup working with startups. That support system made the leap manageable." – Joe St. Germain

5. Networking: Relationship Over Transaction

Both guests stress that business is built on relationships, not transactions. Joe often helps people with problems unrelated to accounting, simply to build trust. Chuck adds that networking is about planting seeds and being patient.

“We assess and sometimes say: ‘You’re not quite at our level yet. Let’s help you set up and come back when you’re ready.’” – Chuck DeWeese

6. Accounting for Grants: Buckets, Structure & Strategy

The discussion covers the unique complexities of grant accounting in nonprofits. Unlike startups, nonprofits must adhere to strict allocation rules. Chuck explains that every dollar needs a bucket and purpose.

"Accounting counts the beans with 100% accuracy. Finance grows the beans, but you don’t get to finance without accounting first." – Chuck DeWeese

7. Culture Fit: Who Gets to Join the Team?

When building their team, Joe and Chuck prioritize character over experience. They look for organized, upbeat, can-do individuals—many of whom are working mothers. A standout story is Kendra, a team member with no prior accounting experience who quickly became a key contributor.

"Hire for character, train for skill. That’s how we grow." – Joe St. Germain

8. The Joy of Building with Purpose

Joe’s personal mission—to make a positive impact on people’s lives—drives their client selection. They avoid companies that don’t align with their values, like the vaping industry. Instead, they seek out startups and nonprofits working toward social impact and innovation.

“We’ve only turned down one client for ethical reasons. We want to make the world better.” – Joe St. Germain

9. The Science of Finance: A Shared Language

Throughout the episode, Yamina and her guests underscore that finance and science share more than most people think—both require rigor, discipline, and a process-oriented mindset. This realization forms a deep connection between accountants and scientists alike.

“Accounting is a science too. You build systems, track data, and interpret outcomes.” – Chuck DeWeese

10. Final Reflections: Growing Together

Yamina closes with the story behind the podcast’s creation—how a moment at a Starbucks in Target led her to launch a platform that now empowers GPCR scientists worldwide. It’s about finding the right people, solving hard problems, and creating something bigger than yourself.

"I come alive when I do this. The podcast is about connecting people through science and story." – Yamina Berchiche

Summary made with AI

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Key Takeaway

Whether you're launching a startup, building a nonprofit, or running a research lab, success comes down to relationships, integrity, and learning the systems that power sustainability. And yes, finance is a science too.

Keyword Cloud:

GPCR research community, Dr. GPCR ecosystem, GPCR training program, GPCR online course, GPCR podcast, GPCR data platform, G protein-coupled receptors, GPCR scientist network, GPCR drug discovery, GPCR webinar series

Summary created by AI

About Company Launch Partners

Company Launch Partners is a fractional finance and accounting service focused on early stage companies. Simply put, we partner with companies to help them launch. The company has been working with startup companies since 2017, serves 25 clients and has assisted over a 100 companies as they start their journey.

Company Launch Partners on the web

• Company Launch Partners